IPC 322 vs BNS 322
● Retained in BNSVoluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt
Section 322 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with the offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. Grievous hurt is defined under Section 320 IPC and includes severe injuries such as permanent loss of sight, loss of limb, disfigurement, fracture, or any injury endangering life.
To constitute the offence under IPC 322, two conditions must be satisfied:
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The injury inflicted must fall under the definition of grievous hurt (IPC 320).
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The act must be done voluntarily, meaning with the intention to cause grievous hurt or with the knowledge that such injury is likely to be caused.
For example, striking someone with a weapon leading to a broken bone or loss of a tooth would fall under IPC 322.
The section is crucial because it distinguishes between ordinary hurt (IPC 321) and grievous hurt, prescribing harsher punishment for more serious injuries.
Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt
Section 322 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, retains the concept of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. It follows the same framework as IPC 322, requiring both:
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The act must cause grievous hurt as defined under BNS 320.
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The act must be committed intentionally or knowingly.
The wording and interpretation remain substantially the same as IPC 322. The section ensures that serious injuries caused voluntarily are treated as aggravated offences, deserving stricter punishment than minor hurt.
For instance, if a person stabs another with the intent to cause lasting injury and the victim suffers permanent damage, it will be covered under BNS 322.
The provision plays a key role in protecting individuals from severe physical assaults and ensures accountability for offenders who inflict long-term or life-threatening harm.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 322 to BNS BNS 322.